[Artificial respiration: yes or no? Ethical reflections on border-line questions in intensive care medicine].

Artificial ventilation is a symbol for intensive-care medicine. Within the framework of possibilities and limitations of intensive care, artificial ventilation is often discussed on a highly emotional plane. Three case reports serve to show that, to avoid inadequate treatment, it will be necessary to consider not only medical problems but also ethical, anthropological and psychological aspects when deciding about controlled respiration.